[p align=\"start\"]Konnichiwa minna-san! \n[/p][p align=\"start\"]Its Wedy Jones here with good news: the Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu demo has been updated! \n[/p][p align=\"start\"]After the first Playtest, the devs crawled back into their secret developer dojo (whilst dodging banana peels ) and fine-tuned a bunch of fixes, updates, and brand-new features. And guess what? You can try them right now in the Steam demo!\n[/p][p align=\"start\"][dynamiclink href=\"https://store.steampowered.com/app/3358880/Nippon_Marathon_2_Daijoubu/\"][/dynamiclink]\n[/p]

Whats New in the Demo?

Demo Stage YOLKO HARBOUR (Reworked!)

[p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]Inspired by Yokohama, this fishing port-themed stage has it all: water, giant carp, anchor-twirling sailors, and yes a very grumpy Giant Octopus .[/p]

• Weve reworked most of the stage to include extra dockside hazards and new environments.

  [/*]

• Test your sea legs in the all-new cargo ship section, but watch out for Octopus attacks, the waters about to get a little choppy.

  [/*]

• Find alternate routes by jumping on dockside machinery like forklifts and scissorlifts. They might launch you to victory or straight into the drink.

  [/*]

[p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"][img src=\"https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images//45350013/24cf1bb1cb9f78068d28db890be9baec46a9f06d.gif\"][/img][/p][p align=\"start\"][/p]

Photo Mode (NEW FEATURE)

[p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]Thought you didnt need a photo mode in a silly party racer? Think again! Now you can pause mid-race and capture those relivable moments - whether thats a dramatic tumble, a Shiba Inu ambush, or someone getting sent flying by a giant anchor.[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]You can move the camera wherever you like, zoom in and out, and let the auto-focus do the work:[/p]

• Want to take a photo of Zenbeis luscious eyelashes up close? Go for it.

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• Feel like waving and pretending to be one of the crowd? Absolutely.

  [/*]

• Or maybe you just want to capture your wildest antics for clout - we dont judge.

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[p align=\"start\"]Here\'s some screenshots we took using Photo Mode:[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"][img src=\"https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images//45350013/9febf895151afc5fd2fcb7c6aa24bacc321f52a0.png\"][/img][/p][p align=\"start\"][img src=\"https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images//45350013/ecf64df97cf63ddeb0613bb685bca5167e4aac56.png\"][/img][img src=\"https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images//45350013/98f35b41635b2b25b0a9bd51bade009691774b8d.png\"][/img][img src=\"https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images//45350013/aa6d8f7b17af68fe7ca65e20da70fe4de84a42d6.jpg\"][/img][/p][p align=\"start\"]And if youre more of a sightseer than a stunt photographer, Photo Mode doubles as a mini-tour guide: pan around, read the barrier text, snap your favourite shop signs (Google Translate at the ready) - trust us, theyre worth it.[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]You can find Photo Mode in the pause menu.[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p]

Strike a Pose on the Podium

[p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]It didnt feel very Nippon Marathon to just stand still on the podium while being told youre the smelliest contestant![/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]So each contestant now has their own exhausted animation. But we didnt stop there.[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]Each contestant also comes with a completely unique set of dance moves to show off while the scores are tallied. Mix and match to create chaotic podium performances and make the stage your personal spotlight![/p][p align=\"start\"](Currently, these animations are only available for player-controlled contestants; AI will get them in a future update.)[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"][img src=\"https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images//45350013/b952b22bbc710cf25aa339512050cdbc20d1826e.gif\"][/img][/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]Pssst want to go completely wild and break free from the podium altogether? Enter the secret cheat code:[/p][p align=\"start\"]\nup down up down left right left right up up down down up up down down[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]What was once a bug is now a cheeky feature, you\'re welcome.[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p]

Other Fun Updates:

• The screen now shakes for melon & gas tank explosions making them feel even more dramatic

  [/*]

• Watch out for sneaky finish line gates that love to trick you, some might be a fake!

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• Our Create-A-Contestant got a makeover too updated head and hairstyle models

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[p align=\"start\"]For a full list of changes since the March Playtest; including bug fixes, performance improvements, and gameplay tweaks, check the Patch Notes at the end of this post.[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p]

Challenge Friends with Remote Play Together

[p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]The demo supports solo, local, and online multiplayer via Steam Remote Play Together![/p][p align=\"start\"]Its the perfect excuse to grab your friends and challenge them to a race, or even a podium dance-off, who really deserves the title of Nippon Marathon Champion![/p][p align=\"start\"][/p]

Try the New Demo Today!

[p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]This might only be one stage, but it gives you a taste of whats to come in the full game, and a glimpse of just how dedicated we are to making Nippon Marathon 2 the ultimate racing game![/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"][dynamiclink href=\"https://store.steampowered.com/app/3358880/Nippon_Marathon_2_Daijoubu/\"][/dynamiclink][/p][p align=\"start\"]Want even more mayhem? Our [u]Discord Playtest[/u] will include these updates plus a brand-new stage join the community for early access and be part of the fun.[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"] Join the Discord -> [/p]

https://discord.gg/SpsyEHs

[p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]Thanks again for your patience, enthusiasm, and support. We know youve been waiting almost as long for Nippon Marathon 2 as for Silksong, but we promise, itll be worth it.[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][p align=\"start\"]Stay Daijoubu,\nWedy Jones[/p][p align=\"start\"][/p][hr][/hr][p align=\"start\"][/p]

FULL PATCH NOTES

[p align=\"start\"][/p]

Bug Fixes

• Fixed pineapple rope line renderer glitch

  [/*]

• Fixed flag props spawning off-centre (causing them to fall over)

  [/*]

• Fixed commentary incorrectly saying spectators were blown up

  [/*]

• Fixed commentary talking about eliminated players stamina

  [/*]

• Fixed inconsistent player order bug

  [/*]

• Fixed tutorial bug: wrong key assigned for Waving to the crowd

  [/*]

• Fixed tutorial bug: instructions not progressing if paused

  [/*]

Performance & Technical

• Improved loading times

  [/*]

• Added upscaler options in Settings ( unstable on Steam Deck, under investigation)

  [/*]

• Camera updates:

  [list]

• Now follows centre point of all contestants when 4 players are active

  [/*]

• Zooms further out when contestants are spread out

  [/*]

[/*][/list]

Gameplay Improvements

• Dive skill improved more useful & predictable

  [/*]

• CPU AI: better navigation, more variety, smarter obstacle handling

  [/*]

• Contestants respawn in random order at checkpoints

  [/*]

• Updated character poses, hairstyles and head models in Create-A-Contestant

  [/*]

• Weapon visibility improved:

  [list]

• Larger & clearer in gameplay

  [/*]

• More realistic in snapshots

  [/*]

• Visible in contestants hands during snapshots

  [/*]

[/*]

Snapshot camera angles improved

[/*]

Water splash animation upgraded with a new hand-drawn 9-frame spritesheet

[/*]

Item respawn time reduced (2s 1.5s)

[/*]

Increased cucumber attack range slightly

[/*]

Contestants recover from falls quicker & more reliably

[/*]

Water slows contestants less than before

[/*]

Banana improved: instantly trips enemies, especially when close behind

[/*]

Explosion interaction: pineapple bursts when hit ( not fully working yet)

[/*]

Elimination rules tweaked:

• Must sweat for at least 2s before elimination

  [/*]

• Immediate elimination if 15m+ behind 1st place

  [/*]

[/*]

[/list]

[ 2025-09-14 12:15:29 CET ] [Original Post]